CNS--Parking fines in unincorporated county areas will be going up as much as $25 in some instances, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors decided today.

Citing higher penalties in other areas and a lack of price increase since 1996, Sheriff Lee Baca asked in a letter to the board for increases in fines, increased charges for late payments and a $5 ``assessment'' to offset parking revenues claimed by the state.

Fines will rise $5 to $25, depending on the violation, according to county officials.

All tickets will include a $5 surcharge. In January, the Legislature passed a bill, requiring all cities and counties to pay $4.50 of every parking fine to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund. The county surcharge is meant to offset this payment to avoid a loss of revenue. The charge is $5 rather than $4.50, because the Department of Motor Vehicles will only process even dollar payments, according to county officials.

Motorists who fail to pay their tickets on time will also face steeper fines, including a $15 administrative fee and based in part on a percentage of the original penalty.

The board voted 5-0 in favor of the price hikes. It was unclear when the new rates would take effect.